Using Passive Solar Windows for Home Heating & Cooling

Installing passive solar windows is a one-time investment that can help you save energy over a long period of time. During summer, it can help keep the heat out and the cool air in. During winter, it can help keep the heat in and maximize the heating rays of the sun.

However, the effects of different climates means that people need to position and install their windows differently to take advantage of solar windows' various properties.

Shaded windows keep the heat out in warmer climates. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Passive Solar Windows for Hot and Sunny Climates

In hot and sunny climates, glazed windows should be installed towards the south of the house.

This allows the windows to collect heat when the sun is low in the sky during the day. That means the house won't overheat by allowing the sun's rays into the house during peak hours.

You can also use a number of shielding devices such as awnings or overhangs to prevent overheating during summer.

Other windows in the house can still be installed, but they should have a shade or glaze installed so they let less light into the house. Having north facing windows in a hot and sunny climate can also lead to overheating.

2. Passive Solar Windows for Cool Climates

Passive solar design using an unvented trombe wall and summer shading (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are two main strategies for heating up a home with passive solar windows in cold climates: trombe walls and using a greenhouse methodology.

A trombe wall is a big wall, usually painted black, which allows you to absorb heat into the house without heat leaking out.

The main concern with using a big window is that while the sun's rays can come into the home and heat up the air, the glass conducts heat so well that it can all escape back through the glass.

The trombe wall solves this issue by trapping the heated air between the glass and the trombe wall, then circulating it into the house before the heat has a chance to escape through the glass.

The greenhouse approach uses similar technology to a greenhouse to keep heated air in the house. You use a large number of windows to let the sun's rays into your house, then you use a controlled timer to circulate the air within your house in a way that optimizes the heat and reduces the amount of heat that escapes through the same glass windows that let the heat in.

 Are Passive Solar Windows for You?

Passive solar windows can work for both hot and cold climates, whether there's a lot of sun or just a little bit of sun.

To determine whether or not your home qualifies for passive solar windows, talk to an environmental contractor in your area. Make sure you get several different opinions to get a definitive sense of whether or not it's worth the investment, as they can be pricey - but they can also save you a lot - especially on heating bills - in the long run.

What Is A Zero-Carbon House?

Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a house that produced zero carbon emissions?  It’s almost inconceivable, right?  How could that work?   Let’s take a look at what it means to be a zero-carbon house and how it’s possible.

Definition of Zero-Carbon

Designed to drastically reduce our greenhouse emissions by utilizing more efficient and sustainable practices, zero-carbon homes and buildings are being designed and built all around the world.  Depending on whom you ask, zero-carbon has different meanings.  It’s defined by the country and by the professional.  For example, an architect may define zero carbon differently than a civil engineer.

Here are some common definitions:

A net-zero home powered by solar modules has a little more happening at the electricial panel but no furnace and no gas hook up. (Photo credit: Green Energy Futures)

*Zero-carbon is a general term applied to a building with zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions annually. They’re separate from the energy grid and are also called off the grid homes.

*A zero carbon home is one that generates as much power as it uses over the course of a year and therefore has net zero carbon dioxide emissions.  This is also commonly called a net zero site energy.

*Net off-site zero energy use is when a home produces 100% of the energy from renewable energy sources.

*Finally, another common definition is what is called net zero emissions, which means the carbon emissions generated from this type of home are balanced by the on-site energy production.  For example, if the home uses 100 energy units from fuels and generates 100 units onsite from solar energy, then they’re net zero.

Each definition embraces a philosophy of what it means to be green.  It taps into the energy conservation versus energy generation debate.  Is a home green because it conserves energy or is it green because it generates its own energy?

What Zero Carbon Means for You  

Under these definitions, it’s entirely possible for you to transform your home into a zero-carbon home right now.  Embracing wind and solar power to balance the amount of energy you use from the grid would result in a net zero off-site home.  You’re contributing as much as you’re using. This is certainly something to keep in mind as you make modifications or undergo any type of home renovations.

Bob Heath's net-zero home, designed by Peter Amerongen of Habitat Studios and Workshop, a custom builder in Edmonton that specializes in net-zero homes. (Photo credit: Green Energy Futures)

Homebuilders today are adopting zero carbon practices to make their homes more environmentally friendly and to meet the demands of homebuyers.  And if you’re going to be in the market to buy a home in the future, you can know what your energy options are.  You can make an educated decision on where you get your energy resources and how you want to contribute to a greener planet.

There are of course benefits to having a zero-carbon home beyond reducing your carbon emissions.  One substantial benefit is that while it may cost more to build a zero-carbon home, you do reap the benefits in substantially lower utility bills and after a few years will see your return on investment.  Additionally, your home may retain or increase its value compared to comparable homes without an environmentally-friendly design.

What Is a Zero Energy Home?

In this day and age of growing awareness of conservation of energy and a more holistic approach to building, one term that you may hear from time to time is "zero energy home."  It may sound impossible, but there really is such a thing, and more and more people are striving to attain this ideal when building a new home. So just what is it? A zero energy home (ZEH) is one where all of the energy needs for the household are supplied by alternative means. It does not mean a home that uses no electricity. Solar panels and solar water heating systems are generally the form of energy employed by these homes, because they are residential. Residential wind turbines are uncommon in most community neighborhoods - at least so far.

Solar boiler on a rooftop. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A zero energy home needs some sort of back-up. It is often not actually an "off the grid" home. The sun is not always shining, and sometimes a home's energy needs drastically increase for a variety of reasons (a cold snap, a heat wave, or an increase in laundry). In fact, zero energy homes remain connected to the utility grid, and often engage in net metering.

Net metering means both the energy you use from the grid and the amount you put back into the grid are measured. Because an electric meter can spin forward or backward, the homeowner gets credit for the energy he or she puts into the grid, which is a good safeguard against those times when you need back-up.

How a ZEH Works

As noted above, a photovoltaic solar power system is employed for electricity generation. Water is heated by a passive, solar-thermal system. Passive systems do not use electrical energy to warm the water. They simply collect the sun's heat and use it to warm water. Energy needs are greatly offset or replaced for heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances.

draft of a solarpipe (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What Else Is Involved In a ZEH?

Some ZEH builders use awnings over the windows and large eaves to block hot summer sunlight but let in sunlight in the winter. Windows in a ZEH home are thick, as is the insulation. Skylights supply much of the indoor light and the solar panels are on the roof, so the angle and location of the home are carefully considered by the builders.

How Do You Obtain a Zero Energy Home?

There are professional builders that specialize in or include the construction of zero energy homes.

You could also take a DIY approach and convert your existing home into a zero energy home. But, although in theory, a conventional home could be converted into a ZEH, the essence of a ZEH is that it is constructed from the ground up. This is because the designers incorporate a lot of "tricks" and design elements within the house's walls, roof, and so forth that would be impossible to insert into an existing home. But you can still achieve great energy savings by incorporating some of the principles of a zero energy home into your existing home if desired.

Building A Solar-Powered Car?

If water as a green energy source can be used to power a car, as we discussed in Monday's post, why don’t we do the same for solar power which has been around much longer?

Almost all cars are still powered by gas. But with the volatility of crude oil prices and because it is not a renewable resource, something must be done before it is too late. Given that solar energy, a green energy source, can be used to power entire communities, why not do this on a small scale by using the same principles to build your own car?

A modern solar cell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To make this work, you'll need lot of things but the two most important are the solar array and the batteries.

The solar array is vital because this is what’s used to collect the sun’s rays and convert them into electrical energy. There are two types to choose from in the market - namely the prefabricated type and the individual kind which you set up yourself.

If you are looking for branded parts, check out either Siemens or ASE Americas that sell terrestrial grade cells and space grade cells. The lower end model, which can still produce a significant amount of power, is the terrestrial grade version.

Proper wiring must be done to make sure that if one of the panels is not working, your vehicle will still move. Even if the voltage of the solar array doesn't exactly match the system voltage of your motor, in most cases it should still run.

We mentioned earlier that the battery is also important because this is where the solar energy will be stored. Your options for this are lead acid, lithium-ion or nickel-cadmium. Just how many you need to buy will depend on your motor’s voltage. 

When you finally have these two components, these will now have to be connected to the motor. And so that you know how much juice is left in your batteries, you will also need to install instrumentation similar to the heads up display console on regular cars which tells you your speed, mileage and gas.

Australia hosts the World Solar Challenge where solar cars like the Nuna3 race through a km (0 mi) course from Darwin to Adelaide. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Interestingly enough, the only commercially available cars that use solar energy so far are the ones used in long distance races, for example, in Australia. To help people realize that renewable energy is really the key to the future, the big automakers should try tapping this technology instead of relying of still relying on gasoline.

Apart from solar energy as a green energy source to power your car, biodiesel is another alternative. This is a combination of alcohol like methanol and a chemical process that separates glycerine and methyl esters (biodiesel) from fats or vegetable oils. This can also be done using corn and sugarcane.

Not only are these renewable, but they don't release the same pollution into the atmosphere that a gasoline engine does. This means you do not release harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide into the air which causes damage to the environment. So even if you can’t build a solar powered car, at least consider a different fuel alternative.

4 Alternative Home Energy Sources: Then & Now

Home energy consumption is one of the main household expenses today. The fact is, we all need electricity to power our lives. We need the level of civilization that can be provided by electricity. However, most people think that the price they pay is just too much for the amount of electricity they get to consume.

In the true spirit of humanity, we've begun to do what what we always do whenever there’s something that does not completely satisfy us about life: we innovate.

Alternative home energy sources are becoming more popular every year, as prices increase and we become more aware of the impact of fossil fuels on the environment. (Ironically, many of the sources that people think of as "alternative energy" have actually been around even before electricity was discovered.)

Consider these types of alternative home energy:

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1) Wind energy – Nowadays, windmills are often used in homes to run small generators. These generators produce and store electricity to be used in running small home appliances. However, windmills have been around for a long time. If you take a look at the word “windmill” you will realize that this type of alternative home energy device was originally used for a purpose other than producing electricity.

Yes, the windmill was indeed, used to mill grain. As you may well know, grinding grain my hand is very hard work. So in order to make life more convenient and the production of flour more efficient, windmills were used to turn the large grinders.

The wind is a free (and in some places abundant) resource, so I suppose it was inevitable that the windmill evolve into the 21st century to be used as a power source.

2) Solar energy – Many people think of this type of alternative home energy as something that’s technologically advanced. In a sense, harnessing the power of the sun to produce electricity is. But this "alternative" home energy source has already been in use for a long, long time.

Think about this word for a second: clothesline. Aha, you get it now, don’t you? Yes, we have been using solar energy to dry our clothes for God knows how long. Think about that spin dryer or hair dryer you have and think about how much electricity it uses to do a task that the sun has been able to do for years, albeit at a slower pace.

This alternative home energy source is harnessed nowadays for a variety of tasks. Some use it to heat their homes, others use solar power to heat water, and other people use solar cells to power small appliances and save a little on that electricity bill. The efficiency by which we are now able to convert solar power into electricity is of such a degree that it is very possible to power a whole house! It's pretty amazing if you think about it.

3) Hydropower – This type of alternative home energy makes use of water currents in order to turn turbines to run generators. Once again, this is not really a new technology. Like windmills, waterwheels were often used to harness the power of a nearby river in order to grind grain into flour - again, before we had electric pumps or grinders.

4) Biogas – This is another alternative home energy source. Biogas is produced naturally via the decomposition of different biological material. By using biogas instead of the common LPG, home owners can often cut back on their heating bills.

Renewable energy sources at homestead in Chattlehop. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As you can see, there are a lot of different types of alternative home energy. Those looking for more environmentally friendly and efficient choices for energy generation may wish to explore these options and discover which type is the best for you to use. We may have used many of these sources in the past, but recent innovations have made them more efficient and cost-effective as sources of electricity.

Unfortunately, some of the methods of harnessing these different alternative home energy types may yet seem impractical to the common homeowner. However, as technology continues to evolve, you can be sure that the use of alternative energy will become more and more efficient.

By using alternative home energy, you accomplish two things: you save on your expenses and you help create a better world. Using these alternative energy sources minimizes the impact on the environment, and by using these sources, in many cases you can harness relatively free energy. Some people may say that the devices used to harness these sources may be too expensive, but in the long run, you’ll end up saving so much more than you spend.

Video - New Solar Panel Innovation

Here is an example of an innovative new design for solar panels, which will lower costs considerably, while also increasing efficiency and energy production. As we discussed on Wednesday, we should be seeing more and more of these innovations in the solar energy field in the years to come, making solar power a viable source of electricity for more and more people.

Check out this short news clip to learn more about this particular example:

New Solar Panel
Reno company Snowpeak Energy has created a next-generation solar panel at half the price of a standard panel, while producing 3 times the electricity. This story is the first time it's been photographed for the public to see. Aired 04/14/2009 KTVN Ch...

Solar Energy Collection Improvements

Photovoltaic cells—those black squares an array of which comprises a solar panel—are getting more efficient, and gradually less expensive, all the time, thanks to ever-better designs which all them to focus the gathered sunlight on a more and more concentrated point. The size of the cells is decreasing as their efficiency rises, meaning that each cell becomes cheaper to produce and at once more productive. As far as the aforementioned cost, the price of producing solar-generated energy per watt hour has come down to $4.00 (or less) at the time of this writing. Just 17 years ago, it was nearly double that cost.

Photovoltaic cells produce electricity directly from sunlight (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Solar powered electricity generation is certainly good for the environment, as this alternative form of producing energy gives off absolutely zero emissions into the atmosphere and is merely utilizing one of the most naturally occurring of all things as its driver. Solar collection cells are becoming slowly but surely ever more practical for placing upon the rooftops of people's homes, and they are not a difficult system to use for heating one's home, creating hot water, or producing electricity. In the case of using the photovoltaic cells for hot water generation, the system works by having the water encased in the cells, where it is heated and then sent through your pipes.

Photovoltaic cells are becoming increasingly better at collecting sufficient radiation from the sun even on overcast or stormy days. One company in particular, Uni-Solar, has developed solar collection arrays for the home that work well on inclement days, by way of a technologically advanced system that stores more energy at one time during sunlit days than previous or other arrays.

There is also another solar power system available for use called the PV System. The PV System is connected to the nearest electrical grid; whenever there is an excess of solar energy being collected at a particular home, it is transferred to the grid for shared use and as a means of lowering the grid's dependence on the hydroelectrically-driven electricity production. Being connected to the PV System can keep your costs down as compared to full-fledged solar energy, while at once reducing pollution and taking pressure off the grid system. Some areas are designing centralized solar collection arrays for small towns or suburban communities.

(Photo credit: janie.hernandez55)

Some big-name corporations have made it clear that they are also getting into the act of using solar power (a further indication that solar generated energy is becoming an economically viable alternative energy source). Google is putting in a  1.6 megawatt solar power generation plant on the roof of its corporate headquarters, while Wal-Mart wants to put in an enormous 100 megawatt system of its own.

Nations such as Japan, Germany, the United States, and Switzerland have been furthering the cause of solar energy production by providing government subsidies or by giving tax breaks to companies and individuals who agree to utilize solar power for generating their heat or electrical power. As technology advances and a greater storage of solar collection materials is made available, more and more private investors will see the value of investing in this “green” technology and further its implementation much more in the years to come.


A Few Innovative New Solar Power Products:
   

New Uses for Solar Power

When you think of solar power you probably think of heating and light for your home. That is one of the many things that we use solar power for.  Solar power is everywhere and its use is growing every day. There are many different products that are made using solar power. Solar power means using the sun's natural heat to produce electricity, heat, and more.  When you use solar power you are using a natural and abundant resource that we cannot deplete, and which causes no pollution (other than the making of means of storing and processing this energy - which continues to become ever more efficient).

A basic, Sharp-brand solar calculator. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are more products that use solar power than what we realize. A lot of today's electronics use some type of solar power in order to function accurately.  Calculators are a prime example of a useful solar power product.  These calculators may or may not have on and off switches.  Some rely on the solar panel completely in order to stay or turn off.  Solar power calculators need a certain amount of light inside the solar panel in order to turn the calculator on and perform what you want it to do; add, subtract, divide, multiply and more.  The solar panel in a calculator is obviously not as big as the one that you would to power your home.  The size needed for a calculator is adjusted before installation to provide the amount it needs. Solar power use can also be found in travel products, outdoor recreation, safety products, emergency products and more. 

Solar power radios are produced with a solar panel inside that transforms the sunlight into energy allowing you to listen to your radio while you are outside.  You may also find solar power in flashlights, battery chargers, mobile phone chargers, watches, lanterns, emergency products such as sirens and lights.  As you see there are a number of products that are already using solar power technology.  Portable solar chargers are great because they charge the product that you have using just the sunlight, and they are very easy to use.  Camping equipment and supplies also work well with solar power because sunlight during the day then helps to supply lanterns, flashlights and radios at night.

Solar powered tea (Photo credit: Nick . Brooks)

Cooking outdoors can also be done by using solar power to heat the element that will ignite and allow for even cooking.  Because more people are turning to solar power for their main energy source there are more and more companies that are marketing products that are produced using solar power.  Appliances are being made specially for solar power homes.  Many new appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and more will work great in a home that is generated by solar power.  They are built to conserve energy and operate very efficiently.

As the demand for more efficient and clean energy grows, the availability of solar powered appliances and electronics will grow as well. We can look forward to seeing more interesting innovations in this field in the years to come.

Video - Small Home Solar Power System Demo

Here's a short demo of one family's small home solar power system they use to power electronics in the home. While they're not completely off the grid, they are using this small solar power system to meet everyday electricity needs such as lights, television, computers, kitchen appliances, and more. Pretty cool!  If you want to learn more about solar power kits and D.I.Y. solar power info, visit the link below the video.

DIY My small home solar power system
A brief layout of my solar system that I added to my small house. This house is still hooked up to the grid. I use it to run all the lights in my home and the tv, every day. I am able to run anything up to 1000 watts if needed


Click Here to Learn More About D.I.Y. Solar Power....

How to Choose the Right Solar Power System for Your Home

With energy costs rising steadily, more and more people are seeking ways to incorporate solar power into their energy plans for their household. However, there are some things to bear in mind if you want to install a solar power system in your home. Not just any system will do. It needs to fit your energy needs and your property location. Here are some tips.

First, determine if your location is conducive to solar. You need to have an area of your property that faces in a southerly direction - ideally, it will face directly south, but slightly southwest will work. It needs to receive sunlight between 9AM and 3PM. Make sure you observe this area all year round, because a property's sunlight can vary greatly from season to season.

Remember, too, that you can mount solar panels on tall poles and trees, not just your roof. So if an area of your property is shady during the key part of the day, look up - it might be sunnier up higher.

Second, call your utility company and find out what your average monthly use of kilowatt hours is. Then you can determine how many KW hours your solar system will have to generate. (You might choose to have only half of your KW hours replaced by solar.)

Types of Home Solar Systems

In order to narrow down what sort of system you need, it's important to familiarize yourself with the different types. Most homeowners choose to be tied in to the power grid, because a stand-alone system can get very complicated and expensive. It is an option, however.

Flat-plate solar thermal collector, viewed from roof-level (Photo credit: Wikipedia)1. Photovoltaic solar panels
These are what most people think of when they think of solar power. They are flat panels that sit on your roof. Generally, photovoltaic systems can power appliances and lights only, not heating and cooling.

The power generated is usually tied in with the conventional power grid, and this is viable option for most solar power users. If you are tied in to the grid, you do not need a battery back-up for night-time and other times when the sun is not shining. The conventional power company becomes your back-up when you are tied to the grid.

2. Solar heating systems

There are active and passive solar heating systems for our home. Passive solar heating uses conduction, convection, or radiation to move sun-generated heat throughout the home. Active solar heating collects the sun's heat in some kind of air or water reservoir, then pumps it throughout the home.

Obviously, depending on the system you choose, these are usually less costly and easier to set up and maintain than a solar panel system. You may choose to go less intensive and just use passive or active solar heating, or you may add solar panels as well and reap the benefits of a combination of these systems.

For a great resource for both solar D.I.Y. info, and pre-made solar power system kits, check out Solar Sphere's website.

Solar Rent Lease and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Strategy – An Explanation

If you're looking to equip your home for solar power, but not sure how to start, or if it's too expensive, there are some new options available now that many people are not aware of. As alternative power comes to the fore, programs are springing up to facilitate the use of alternative energy in people's homes and businesses. Solar rent leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs) are two of those programs. Here is how they work.

Image via WikipediaSolar Rent Leases

A solar rent lease involves renting solar equipment from a power/electricity provider. The provider actually owns the solar panels and overall solar power system, and is responsible for its maintenance. You pay a fee, or rent, for the use of the equipment. Generally, the solar power system is intended to augment, not replace, the electricity you purchase from your utility company. Hopefully, you will save so much on your power bill that it will offset the rent amount.

Most power providers that offer solar rent leases have a contract that "locks you in" to the agreement. It has advantages for you, the purchaser, and the provider - you are protected against rising utility rates, and the provider gets the security of a long-term contract. Most providers' contracts are for 15 to 20 years.

PPAs

A power purchase agreement is similar to the solar rent lease. With a PPA, the provider purchases the solar panels and solar power system, and also installs and maintains them. Instead of paying rent, you, the purchaser, pay for the actual power generated by the solar power system. Again, your monthly utility bill will be augmented, not replaced, by the solar-generated electricity. The idea is for the purchaser to save money and reduce his or her use of fossil fuel-generated electricity.

Image by U.S. Army Environmental Command via FlickrPPAs also involve a contract, usually 15 to 20 years. Some PPAs give you the option of buying the equipment and solar power system when the contract ends.

Generally speaking, the electricity providers involved in solar rent leases and PPAs are independently owned companies. Thus, PPAs and solar rent leases help finance these independent power producers. Because the electricity output is clearly defined and measured and there are contracts in place, banks and other financial institutions are more likely to invest in the independent provider. This is another incentive for some who are interested in alternative energy.

Another attractive thing about PPAs and solar lease agreements is the low initial cost. Many people would like to "go solar" but are unsure how to pay for, install, and maintain the necessary equipment. With these agreements, the provider does all of that and you only have to pay rent for the equipment or pay for the solar power generated.

Resources for Alternative Energy

There are many different forms in which alternative energy is available.

Image via WikipediaOne of these is solar power. Solar power is driven by photovoltaic cells, and these are progressively getting less expensive and more advanced. Solar energy power can be used for electricity, heating, and making hot water. Solar energy produces no pollution, as its input comes completely from the sun's rays. However, much more work still needs to be done in order for us to economically harness the sun's energy. For the time being, the resource is a little too conditional—storage batteries are needed to be used as backups in the evenings and on inclement days.

Wind energy has become the most-invested-in (by private investors and governments together) alternative energy source for the time being. The great arrays of triple-bladed windmills are being placed all over as “wind farms”, to capture the motion of the wind and use its kinetic energy for conversion to mechanical or electrical energy. Of course, there is nothing new about the concept of a windmill for harnessing energy. Modern wind turbines are simply are more advanced variations on the old theme. Of course, the drawback to wind energy is...what do you do when there is a calm, still day? Needless to say, during these times the electric company kicks in for powering your home or office. Wind energy is not altogether independent.

Image via WikipediaHydroelectric energy is available as a source of alternative energy, and it can generate a substantial amount of power. Simply put, hydroelectric energy uses the motion of water—its flow in response to gravity, which means downhill—to turn turbines which then generate electrical energy. Needless to say, water is ubiquitous; finding sources for driving hydroelectric turbines is, therefore, not much of a problem. However, hydroelectricity as a source of alternative energy can be complicated and expensive to produce. Dams are often built in order to be able to control the flow of the water sufficiently to generate the needed power. Building a dam to store and control water's potential and kinetic energy takes quite a lot of work, and operating one is complex as well,and conservationists grow concerned that it. Of course, a dam is not always needed if one is not trying to supply the electrical needs of a city or other very densely populated area. There are small run-of-river hydroelectric converters which are good for supplying neighborhoods or an individual office or home. 

Probably the most underrated and under-appreciated form of alternative energy is geothermal energy, which is simply the naturally-occurring energy produced by the heating of artesian waters that are just below the earth's crust. This heat is transferred into the water from the earth's inner molten core. The water is drawn up by various different methods—there are “dry steam” power plants, “flash” power plants, and “binary” power plants for harnessing geothermal energy. The purpose of drawing up the hot water is for the gathering of the steam.  The Geysers, approximately 100 miles north of San Francisco, is probably the best-known of all geothermal power fields; it's an example of a dry stream plant.

Tips for Building Inexpensive Solar Panels

Harnessing and utilizing solar energy is one of the most efficient sources for powering our homes. However, solar panels can be very expensive, and even building your own can add up to quite a bit. This short video and article gives some good tips for finding cheap solar panel parts, which you can then use to build your own.

Cheap Solar Panels – Build Quality Home Solar Panels | Green ...
www.solarpanelsquick.com – There are many different ways you can get cheap solar panels. There are dozens of websites available that can walk you through the whole process of making your own solar energy systems, with the panels being ...
Publish Date: 03/31/2011 3:00
http://coolgreenlivingtips.com/solar-energy/cheap-solar-panels-build-quality-home-solar-panels/

Video-Solar Energy Concentrator

Here is a pretty interesting video which demonstrates a simple energy concentration device using energy from the sun for a variety of purposes. It also includes some great explanations of how and why solar energy works, and how you can build a similar device.

Becoming energy independent is an important goal for living a green lifestyle that is healthy for both yourself and the planet. While this device won't solve all of our energy problems, it is great to see such interesting ideas taking shape and being used to create new opportunities for you and me.

Solar Energy Concentrator
Purchase: hilaroad.com This video demonstrates how solar energy can be focused with a curved mirror. Once focused this energy can be used to cook food, sterilize water even create electricity. Includes an explanation of Energy, Power, Joules, Watts. ...

Related articles  on Solar Energy

• The Advantages of Solar Energy (ideagreenshop.com)
• Who would benefit most from solar energy? Study ranks states (physorg.com)
• Solar Energy Companies, Assisting Your Own Alternatives For Your Full Advantage (ideagreenshop.com)
• Scientists develop a way to funnel solar energy (sciencedaily.com)

Alternative Energy Options for the Home

The trend toward homes that are powered by alternative energy sources, ranging from wind turbines and solar collection cells to hydrogen fuel cells and biomass gases, is one that needs to continue into the 21st century and beyond. We have great need of becoming more energy independent, and not having to rely on the supplying of fossil fuels from unstable nations who are often hostile to us and our interests. But even beyond this factor, we as individuals need to get “off the grid” and also stop having to be so reliant on government-lobbying giant oil corporations who, while they are not really involved in any covert conspiracy (in my opinion), nevertheless have a stranglehold on people when it comes to heating their homes (and if not through oil, then heat usually supplied by grid-driven electricity, another stranglehold).

Image via WikipediaAs Remi Wilkinson, Senior Analyst with Carbon Free, puts it, inevitably, the growth of distributed generation will lead to the restructuring of the retail electricity market and the generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. The power providers may have to diversify their business to make up for revenues lost through household energy microgeneration.

She is referring to the conclusions by a group of UK analysts, herself included among them, who call themselves Carbon Free. Carbon Free has been studying the ever-growing trend toward alternative energy-using homes in England and the West. This trend is being driven by ever-more government recommendation and sometimes backing of alternative energy research and development, the rising cost of oil and other fossil fuels, concern about environmental degradation, and desires to be energy independent.

Carbon Free concludes that, assuming traditional energy prices remain at their current level or rise, microgeneration (meeting all of one's home's energy needs by installing alternative energy technology such as solar panels or wind turbines) will become to home energy supply what the Internet became to home communications and data gathering, and eventually this will have deep effects on the businesses of the existing energy supply companies.

  Image via Wikipedia
Carbon Free's analyses also show that energy companies themselves have jumped in on the game and are seeking to leverage microgeneration to their own advantage for opening up new markets for themselves. Carbon Free cites the example of electricity companies (in the UK) reporting that they are seriously researching and developing ideas for new geothermal energy facilities, as these companies see geothermal energy production as a highly profitable wave of the future.

Another conclusion of Carbon Free is that solar energy hot water heating technology is an efficient technology for reducing home water heating costs in the long run, although it is initially quite expensive to install.  However, solar power is not yet cost-effective for many corporations, as they require too much in the way of specialized plumbing to implement solar energy hot water heating. Lastly, Carbon Free tells us that installing wind turbines is an       efficient way of reducing home electricity costs, while also being more independent. However, again this is initially a very expensive thing to have installed, and companies would do well to begin slashing their prices on these devices or they could find themselves losing market share.

 

Related articles on Alternative Energy:

• Alternative Energy: A Guide To Greening Your Home (techcrunch.com)
• Apartment And Corporation Solar Energy Talked About (ideagreenshop.com)
• Renewable Energy Advantages Research (ideagreenshop.com)